Lifting-tongs



(No Model.)

R m s NN I0 sT LG m T m WL Patented July 23, 1895.

I WITNE$$ES INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

CYRUS W. BOLSINGER, OF MUNHALL, PENNSYLVANIA.

LlFTlNG-TONGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters fiatent No. 542,985, dated Julyas, 1895.

Application filed Mag 8,1895. Serial No. 548,476. on model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CYRUS W. BOLSINGER, of Munhall, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Lifting-'longs, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings,forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a sideelevation, partly in section, showing my improved tongs applied to anarmor-plate; and Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.

My invention relates to the tongs employed for lifting and transferringmetal or other heavy bodies, and is designed to afio-rd a device of thischaracter which can be readily adapted to different thicknesses of plateand will give a firm and secure hold thereon.

To that end it consists in a central fulcrumplate having movablegripping-pins therein and levers provided with cam-faces arranged toforce the pins against the plate or other body and grip it firmlybetween them. It also consists in the construction and arrangement ofthe parts as hereinafter more fully described, and set forth in theclaims.

In the drawings, in which similar numerals indicate corresponding parts,the fulcrumplate 2 consists of two plates 3 and 4, secured to a centralspacing-plate 5 by through bolts or rivets 6. The plates 3 and 4 areprovided with a lower central recess, and the spacingplate is providedwith two depending legs 7 and 8 on opposite sides of the recess whichreceives the plate. Within the legs of the spacing-plate are arrangedthe oppositelymovable gripping pins 9, which are preferably providedwith serrated surfaces to engage the body to be lifted. Two levers 10and ll'are pivotally supported in the plates 3 and 4, and are providedwith cam-faces which engage the outer ends of the gripping-pins andforce them inwardly when a lifting force is imparted to the upper endsof the levers by means of the chains 12. The chains are connected to atrolley on a jib of a crane, or to any other lifting element, and it isobvious that when the jib is raised the levers, being swung inwardly,drive the pins inwardly against the plate with a force proportionate toits weight. To hold the levers in retracted position when the tongs arelowered upon the article, I provide holes 13 in the levers,through whichbars or rods may be thrust, which,

abutting against the ends of the plates 3 and 4, prevent the inwardswinging of the levers.

The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart, since the pins 9, which rest loosely in their holes, may be easilyremoved and replaced by longer or shorter ones to correspond to thethickness of the plate to be lifted. Moreover, when their surfacesbecome worn they are easily taken out and dressed and retempered.

Many changes may be made inthe form and arrangement of the parts withoutdeparting from my invention, since What I claim is- 1. Lifting tongscomprising a centralfulcrum plate, slidable gripping-pins mountedtherein, and levers having cam-faces arranged to contact with said pins;substantially as described.

my hand.

CYRUS W. BOLSINGER. Witnesses:

H. M. OORWIN, O. BYRNES.

